She Stoops to Conquer
by Priscilla
Chapter 9
Jenn called me with her bell just before six.
Remembering my instructions, I slipped off my plastic apron, checked my dress, especially bows and seams, added another coat of lipstick and gloss, then entered the sitting room with a passable curtsey and "Yes Mistress?"
Jenn looked up from her laptop with a quizzical smile.
"Girl, it's time you started preparing dinner. Tonight we will have lasagne. I want you to check the recipe first and make sure we have all the ingredients. If not, you'll have to go and get what's missing. Come and tell me when you have checked."
What, go out on my own dressed like this? I looked at Jenn imploringly, but she gave no hint of reprieve. Was I being set up here?
I retreated to the kitchen and dug out the big Good Housekeeping Recipe Book, Jenn's kitchen bible. The recipe looked simple, and I worked through the ingredients listed, finding each one in the larder. Well, not each one, as I could not find Marjoram. That's only a seasoning, isn't it? Can't be that important to the finished dish. And what was this Mozzarella it asked for? We had a good selection of cheeses, including Parmesan cheese, but no Mozzarella or the alternative, Bel Paese.
I returned to the sitting room.
Curtseying, I said "Mistress, we have everything except Mozzarella and Marjoram. Are these really necessary?"
She sighed deeply.
"Oh Petal, will you never learn? Yes, of course, you could make a dish without those ingredients, but I told you to make Lasagne, which needs all the ingredients. You'll just have to go and get them."
Could I take much more of this?
"Go and change into your new black boots, as I don't think you'll be safe driving in those heels yet. And you can take off your cap the trip to the shop. If you wear the blue or pink mac it should cover up your uniform."
"Please, Mistress, don't make me do this."
Anger flashed across her face.
"Girl, for that I will choose which raincoat you will wear, and it will be the pretty pink one. Now, go and get yourself ready, and don't forget to take your new pink handbag with you. Make sure you've got enough money in your purse, and you have your lipstick compact and gloss with you. You must refresh your lips in the shop, dear."
Chastened, I hurried up to my room, and changed my court shoes for the boots. I carefully removed my cap so as not to disturb my hair too much. Picking up the silly little handbag, I transferred my makeup items from my apron to the bag, then collected some money from my wallet. I took the precaution to add credit cards and my drivers licence to the little handbag. Then down to the utility room to collect the pink plastic mac. As I put it on, I could feel the cold plastic against my bare smooth shoulders and neck.
The bell rang. I checked my makeup and entered the sitting room.
Jenn smirked.
"Very pretty, dear, so sissy in your uniform and pink mac. I suggest that you button it up, and don't tie the belt. That will give it more fullness, and help to disguise your uniform."
I did as she suggested, and was most grateful for the very full coat. Although the pink plastic was translucent, the little white roses all over it effectively made it opaque. And now I am being grateful for wearing a pink raincoat covered in white roses?
"There's that mini-market just as you enter Sevenoaks; they'll have both things you are looking for. Oh, and you can fill up the car on the way back. You've got your credit card?"
"Oh, and put your mobile in as well, in case I think of anything else."
"Yes, Mistress."
Off you go then, and don't take too long flirting with the shopkeeper" she broke into peals of laughter that rang in my ears as I fled through the hall.
When I got outside, it was getting dark, thank goodness. I took care in getting into the car as Mistress had taught me, and sat for a few moments to relax myself before driving. It felt odd with the heels on the car floor, and I had a little practice operating the foot pedals with the new situation. Once I felt comfortable as I was going to, I slowly drove out of the garage, and out into the road.
A fine drizzle started as I headed towards Sevenoaks, a distance of some five miles from home. The first mile or so is rural, so I didn't expect to pass many people, but after that I was driving through a more residential area, and was aware of some people out, walking dogs or whatever. I passed quite a few cars as well, and in my nervous state was convinced that everyone was looking at this man dressed as a woman.
I was soon at the shop. I drove slowly past the shop and noticed that there did not appear to be anyone inside, other than the proprietor. The nearest parking was about 50 yards along the road, so I pulled in in front of a residential house. I sat for a few minutes, again to relax myself, and to think through what I was about to do.
Or was I ?
The day's events had all come upon me at such a rush, I had not really had time to think over what had happened to me. Why was I now sitting in outrageous female clothes in my car just about to go into a shop dressed this way? Was I a complete fool, or a slave to my wife, or had I still got any balls? Why couldn't I just drive straight home, tell Jenn that this was far too much over the top, and I wasn't going along with it any more?
But why had I gone so far? I remembered our discussion of the day before, and my promise to Jenn. We were deeply in love still, and I was sure that if I broke a promise to her, our relationship would never be the same. And she had never shown signs of being dominant, cruel, or in anyway nasty to me before. She had insisted that this was all for my own good, even though it was a bit difficult to see how this impending embarrassment was good for me.
No, I couldn't disappoint her; I admit that I am not the bravest man that ever walked, but really what was so frightening about doing something every woman did every day?
As I had been thinking I had been keeping an eye on the shop in the car mirror, and I hadn't seen anyone enter or exit so far. My chances seemed good of having an empty shop, less people to see me like this.
I gathered up my courage, skirts and handbag, and slid out of the car seat. Fortunately it was still raining, so the mac didn't look out of place, apart from its colour and design, but I pulled the hood up over my head tying the ribbons under my chin, hooked the pink handbag over my arm, then slid out of the car in the approved fashion. The walk to the shop seemed like a mile, and I was acutely aware of the sound of my heels on the pavement. I noticed also that the lower part of the coat sticks out a long way, as it was stretched over the wide petticoated skirt of my uniform. My God, I must look like something out of the fifties!! Well, with luck I wouldn't be in the shop long.
As I passed the large plate glass window, I scanned the inside of the shop to see whether anyone was there. The only person was a young man of Asian descent behind the counter. Well, I couldn't stand out here much longer or I would attract interest from passers by, and anyway, I was certain that I would be in for more punishment if I was late back.
As I entered, the door made a large 'ping' and the man behind the counter looked up. Obviously my appearance was unusual as he stards at me with interest. I gave him a weak smile, and hurry around the shelves, searching for the missing ingredients. I had just located the marjoram, when my mobile rang. I took it from my handbag, and held it to my ear.
"Maid girl, where are you now?"
"I'm in the shop Mistress" I whispered.
"Speak up, girl, I can't hear you."
I repeated, slightly louder.
"You're still too faint, speak up, girl."
By the time she was satisfied, I was practically shouting. People who use mobile phones in public places have always annoyed me, as they appear totally unaware that they don't need to shout to be heard. And now I'm doing it! But now dressed as a maid in a shop!
And of course, the man at the counter heard everything – as Jenn had intended. He was now looking at me with much more interest. I had tried to keep my voice as feminine as I could – high pitch – but when I was shouting, I had to revert to my usual male tones.
Jenn's voice again came over the phone.
"Is there anyone else in the shop, girl?"
"Yes, Mistress, someone behind the counter."
"Do you have your raincoat buttoned and the hood up?"
"Yes, Mistress."
"That is unnecessary. It is not raining in the shop. Untie the ribbons of the coat, and unbtton it right down the front."
"Please Mistr…"
"Siop that, for that, you can take it off completely. Do it now."
"Yes, Mistress, sorry, Mistress."
With shaking hands, I undid the ribbons at my throat, flipped back the hood, unbuttoned down the front, and slipped my arms out of the pink plastic mac. Now I was completely exposed in my maid's uniform.
"Done that, girl?"
"Yes, Mistrss."
"Good girl, now fold the mac tidily over your right arm, and have your handbag over your left arm."
"Yes, Mistress."
"Now, approach the man behind the counter, curtsey, and hand him this phone."
Oh no! But I daren't disobey.
I walked up to the counter, did a little bob, and handed over the phone.
"Excuse me, she wishes to speak to you."
He looked totally non-plussed, not sure whether to laugh, cry, or throw me out. He took the phone from me. I couldn't hear what Jenn said to him, but he looked at me and said 'Yes' many times. He finally handed the phone back to me.
"I hope you curtsied to him when he handed you the phone" Jenn's voice came through.
"Yes Mistress" and I bobbed immediately.
"Now, I just remembered that I forgot to get my tampons, so I want you to get me a box of Tampax Compak Regular. But, girl, I don't want you to embarrass me before the kind man, so you are to ask for them for yourself, and ask him nicely to show you where they are in the shop. And by nicely, I expect you to curtsey every time you speak to him. Oh and pay with your Bank of Scotland credit card. Is that understood?"
"Yes, Mistress."
"Okay, call me back when you have got everything and before you leave the shop."
With a final "Yes, Mistress" I put the phone away in my pink handbag, and turned to search for the Mozzarella. At least I could reduce my embarrassment by looking for it at the back of the shop. For once I was lucky and located it almost immediately.
I now turned back to the counter. Putting the mozzarella and marjoram down, I again bobbed, and said "Excuse me, can you please help me? I am looking for a box of Tampax Compak, can you please show me where they are?"
"Yes, follow me" he said, and I minced behind him down one aisle. When we got to the personal hygiene section, he pointed to a shelf, and asked "Is that Regular, Super, or Super Plus?"
I bobbed.
"Regular please, I always use Regular."
What was I saying? But this seemed the obvious way to obey Jenn's last command.
He looked at me with undisguised scorn, and handed me the box.
"Will one box be enough for you, Sir?" he asked.
Bob.
"Yes, thank you, it will do for now."
I followed him back to the front of the shop. He rang up my purchases, bagged them, and told me the total.
I opened my pink handbag, took out my credit card. And now I realised Jenn's subtlety. The card had my photo on it as added security, and the photo was obviously male. I handed it over. The shopkeeper looked at it closely.
"Is this you?"
Bob.
"Yes, sir, that is how I normally look."
"My God" he declared. He rang up the card. With shaking hand I signed the slip, and took my card back.
Now finished in the shop, I took out the phone and rang home.
"I have finished shopping, Mistress" I shouted.
"Right, put the phone on the counter where I can hear you, and ask the kind man to help you on with your pretty pink raincoat. I want you to ask him as sweetly as you can, and you are to tell him how you love your pretty feminine raincoat, and that it is so good for keeping the rain off your pretty dress."
Would this humiliation ever cease?
I did as she said, and unfolded the raincoat.
Bob.
"Please, kind sir, could you help me into my pretty raincoat? It is raining outside, and I don't want to get my pretty dress wet on the way home"
I held the coat open towards him, and he took it reluctantly. He held it out, and turning, I slid my arms into the sleeves. He lifted the coat onto my shoulders, and I turned to thank him.
Bob.
"Thank you, kind sir, you have been most helpful. I do so love this coat, it is such a pretty pink colour, and so feminine."
I pulled the hood up over my cap, and buttoned and ribboned myself back into it. I picked up the phone.
"Good girl, now one last thing, with all this talking, you need to redo your lipstick. Ask the kind gentleman if there is a mirror you can use."
I asked, and he pointed me to one hanging to one side of him. I moved over to it, and taking my pink lipstick from my handbag, repainted my lips. Once I was satisfied that they looked good enough to pass inspection when I got home, I turned, curtsied and smiled my thanks. I reported back to Jenn that I was done.
"Okay, girl, good, now sweetly say goodbye, and blow him a kiss from the door. That will be his treat. Then come straight home, as I'm waiting." With that she laughed menacingly.
I did as instructed, and got a very unpleasant look as I blew the kiss. I left the shop in as much haste as my heels would allow.
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